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BurglaryA resident of Saint John Court returned home to find the rear sliding door broken, and other signs that someone had broken into the home. The burglary was reported 4:36pm Feb. 7.A thief or thieves stole a rifle and a shotgun from a residence on Barrett Avenue. The crime was reported 12:42pm Feb. 8.A burglar or burglars broke into a building at Live Oak High School, 1505 E. Main Ave., broke a gate and a truck window, and vandalized the surveillance cameras. The incident was reported 5:22am Feb. 9.Accident, DUIThe driver of a Honda Accord was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after colliding with a Toyota FourRunner near the intersection of East Dunne Avenue and Church Street. The accident and arrest were reported 6:12pm Feb. 7.Petty theftTwo men were seen crawling into a clothing bin on Laurel Road, stealing the donated items inside. The theft was reported 8:07pm Feb. 7.VandalismSomeone shot pellets from a BB gun through the front window of a residence on La Mesa Court. The vandalism was reported 8:50pm Feb. 7. Narcotics complaintA witness reported the driver of a green Camaro was rolling a joint and smoking one while driving in the area of Butterfield Boulevard and East Dunne Avenue. The incident was reported 7:41am Feb. 8.All subjects are innocent until proven guilty. Information is compiled from public records.

Morgan Hill Police arrested a motorist on the edge of downtown on suspicion of vehicle theft following a “high-risk” traffic stop Feb. 9, according to authorities.Just before 3pm, police saw a vehicle that had been reported stolen traveling eastbound on West Main Avenue, west of Monterey Road. Officers initiated a traffic stop and the vehicle pulled over to the side of West Main Avenue.Police approached the vehicle with guns drawn, but the driver—the sole occupant of the vehicle—“complied and was taken into custody,” MHPD Cpl. Scott Purvis said.The driver was identified as Abraham Arrellano, 23, Purvis said. Officers determined that Arrellano was on probation out of Monterey County for auto theft.

Organizers of the 2018 Amgen Tour of California on Thursday formally announced the news that has excited local cycling enthusiasts, city officials and tourism proponents for several weeks—the statewide cycling tour will sweep through Morgan Hill on May 16.

Former San Francisco 49ers defensive end Dana Stubblefield’s lawyers filed a motion asking the court to set bail in his rape case, according to authorities, despite the recent addition of a gun enhancement to the charges.The Times was unable to obtain a copy of the motion before press time because Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Duong was reviewing it before she decides whether to schedule a bail hearing for Stubblefield, according to Santa Clara County Superior Court spokesman Benjamin Rada. Stubblefield has been in custody at Santa Clara County Jail since the conclusion of his preliminary hearing Jan. 19.A recent news report noted that the defendant’s motion to set bail, filed Feb. 5, argues that new evidence shows Stubblefield paid the alleged rape victim for a consensual sexual encounter at his Morgan Hill home in April 2015. Morgan Hill Police have said that Stubblefield contacted the woman for a job interview through a babysitting website, and raped her shortly after she arrived at the home. The woman added during testimony in the recent preliminary hearing that he threatened her with a handgun while he raped her.  Stubblefield, 46, faces a total of five felony charges in relation to the alleged rape of the victim, who is in her 30s, according to authorities. These charges are forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, rape and oral copulation of a person incapable of consent, and false imprisonment. On Jan. 19, prosecutors added a gun enhancement to the charges based on the victim’s testimony, sending him back to jail without bail.Stubblefield has pleaded not guilty to the charges.According to the San Jose Mercury News, Stubblefield’s latest motion claims his lawyers unearthed a short video on a pornography website of the woman dancing nude. The video is allegedly available to paying customers, and the motion argues it proves the woman lied under oath when she testified she had never been paid for sexual or nude acts, according to the Mercury News.Santa Clara County Deputy District Tim McInerny told the Times that the defense attorneys’ use of this evidence amounts to “victim shaming.”“To file a motion with evidence about a person’s sexual history is victim shaming,” McInerny said. “It is tone deaf in the ‘Me Too’ and ‘Time’s Up’ environment we’re living in. Victims have rights. This victim’s rights are being violated in an egregious and terrible way. It will be up to a judge to determine what, if any evidence, is admissible in the courtroom.”Stubblefield was arrested by Morgan Hill Police in May 2016, after officers conducted a year-long investigation into the victim’s claim that the former NFL star raped her. The incident allegedly occurred April 9, 2015. The woman arrived at his home after Stubblefield contacted her through the website sittercity.com, according to police.After a brief job interview, the woman left, according to authorities. But Stubblefield called her back and offered to pay for her time. When she returned, he carried the woman to a room, raped her, forced her to perform oral sex and then gave her $80, according to police reports.The woman drove straight to the Morgan Hill police station from Stubblefield’s home to report the incident, according to authorities.Stubblefield said in a statement after he was released on $250,000 bail following his arraignment in 2016, that he had consensual sex with the woman he is accused of raping. He denied all the charges at that time.Investigators have also claimed the woman is “intellectually disabled.” Stubblefield’s attorneys have disputed this claim.Stubblefield’s attorney did not immediately return a phone call requesting comment about the Feb. 5 bail motion. Stubblefield is next scheduled to appear in court Feb. 16 for a hearing to set his trial date.Stubblefield was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 1993 draft, and played for the team until the end of the 1997 season. He then played for the Washington Redskins, and returned to the 49ers for the 2001 and 2002 seasons. He then played for the Oakland Raiders in 2003.

When Morgan Hill Jeep Dodge Ram and Fiat opens, expect the dealership to showcase the same sort of flash and showmanship as owner and reality TV star Josh Towbin. It wasn’t the glitzy showmanship of San Francisco or San Jose that brought the new dealership here, but the charm of Morgan Hill itself that enchanted Towbin to expand his brand into California.

The California Democratic Party on Saturday gave a pre-endorsement to San Benito County Supervisor Robert Rivas at the Region 7 Pre-Endorsement Conference. The pre-endorsement comes just three weeks after Rivas officially launched his campaign for the 30th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and Hollister.

Democratic state Assemblywoman Anna Caballero—a state Senate candidate this year—faced criticism last week after a California-based progressive advocacy group announced her inclusion in a “Hall of Shame.”

Auto burglaryA resident’s car and storage unit were broken into on the 15200 block of La Alameda Drive. The crime was reported 1:55pm Jan. 29.DisturbanceA female customer at Coffee Guys, 50 East Third Street, threw coffee on other customers, creating a disturbance. The woman refused to leave when store staff asked her, but she left when police arrived. The incident was reported 2:24pm Jan. 29.Two intoxicated men were seen throwing chairs around and drinking open alcohol containers outside Mr. Hong restaurant at Monterey Road and Spring Avenue. The disturbance was reported 2:28pm Jan. 29.A transient male was seen dancing around holding an open pocket knife in front of Blush Boutique, on the 200 block of West Main Avenue. The disturbance was reported 11:39am Feb. 2.Numerous vehicles were racing and playing loud music at the downtown parking garage, 50 East Third Street. The disturbance was reported 10:24pm Jan. 27.A car with a loud muffler was “racing” through the downtown parking garage, 50 E. Third Street. The disturbance was reported 11:36pm Feb. 5.Stolen vehicleA thief or thieves stole a silver 1997 Honda Civic from the 200 block of East Dunne Avenue. The crime was reported 2:50pm Jan. 29.Someone stole a red 2000 Ford Contour form The Ford Store, 17045 Condit Road. The theft was reported 2:51pm Jan. 29.A green 1996 Honda Civic was stolen from the 18500 block of Butterfield Boulevard. The theft was reported 3:16pm Jan. 30.A thief or thieves stole a white 1990 Honda Accord from a spot on Barnell Avenue. The theft was reported 6:51am Feb. 2. Someone stole a white 1997 Acura Integra from Maple Leaf RV Park, 15200 Monterey Road. The theft was reported 6:04pm Jan. 26. A thief or thieves stole a white 1992 Chevrolet F10 pickup from the area of Del Monte and Wright avenues. The crime was reported 7:41pm Jan. 26.Someone stole a red Ford Edge from a spot on Sandalwood Way. The crime was reported 8:06am Jan. 29.A silver 2001 Chevrolet 1500 with a camper shell was stolen from the area of Butterfield Boulevard and East Dunne Avenue. The crime was reported 9:54am Feb. 5.A thief or thieves stole a black 2016 Dodge from the parking lot of Safeway, 235 Tennant Station. The theft was reported 4:09pm Feb. 2.Petty theftSomeone stole paperwork from an unlocked 2007 Nissan Quest at Hill Haven Mobile Home Park, 17975 Monterey Road. Specifically, the thief or thieves stole a Mexico passport, U.S. visa card and international migration permit. The crime was reported 1:10pm Jan. 30.A man about 25 to 35 years old stole about $200 worth of baby formula from CVS, 16995 Walnut Grove Drive. The crime was reported 10:47am Feb. 1.Someone stole a license plate from a vehicle parked on the 1100 block of Appian Way. The crime was reported 10:31am Feb. 5.Someone stole a piggy bank worth about $7 from Star Gifts, 626 Tennant Ave. The theft was reported 4:15pm Feb. 5.Suspicious vehicleA dark green Honda was seen circling the neighborhood in the area of the 400 block of Calle Cerro. A witness told police the vehicle appeared to be stalking the area for possible theft or burglary. The vehicle was reported 4:01am Jan. 27.AccidentA school bus full of students collided with a parked white pickup in the area of Shadowbrook Way and Carriage Drive. No students on board the bus were injured. The accident was reported 7:37am Jan. 29.Defraud innkeeperA customer of Morgan Hill Foods ate ice cream inside the store and did not pay for it. When confronted by an employee, the suspect said he didn’t take any ice cream and dropped the empty packaging on the floor. The theft was reported 12:45pm Jan. 29.FraudA woman reported her wallet fell out of her purse in the parking lot in front of JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts at Tennant Station, and her credit cards were later used at multiple locations. The fraud was reported 3:43pm Feb. 5.Hit and runThe owner of a Buick SUV reported that another vehicle hit their car while it was parked in the downtown garage, and then fled the scene. The Buick was parked on the second level of the garage on East Third Street. Police reviewed surveillance video from the garage, but could not see the moment the suspect vehicle hit the Buick because the cameras were “skipping.” The collision was reported 5:37pm Feb. 5.All subjects are innocent until proven guilty. Information is compiled from public records.

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors last week awarded a $2 million grant to the City of Morgan Hill to go toward the construction of an all-inclusive playground project that would cater to all the community’s children and grownups, including those who are disabled.The county board created the All-Inclusive Playground Grant Program in 2017 to provide grants to local jurisdictions and nonprofits to build all-inclusive playgrounds within Santa Clara County. Playgrounds funded under the grant must be designed to address the needs of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory challenges, visual and auditory Impairments, plus medically fragile individuals and those with cognitive, developmental, and physical disabilities.The playground is expected to include synthetic turf with slides and a climbing wall, a tree house, sound play garden, water spray mister, swing zone, a climbing area, a community stage, and a quiet area for kids to take a break.Santa Clara County District 1 Supervisor Mike Wasserman, who represents Morgan Hill, made the motion on the funding recommendation in support of the city’s grant application.“Children of all abilities deserve a safe and fun place to play, which is why I am proud to report that I and the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved $2 million for the Magical Bridge Playground in Morgan Hill,” Wasserman said in an email to the Times on Tuesday. “The playground is the result of the Morgan Hill community coming together to create a special place for children and families.”The $2 million county grant will go a long way when it comes to paying for the project. Current costs to develop the inclusive playground are estimated at $5.2 million, according to city staff. This includes design, construction and payment to the Magical Bridge Foundation, a nonprofit that works to bring inclusive playgrounds to communities in the Bay Area. The group works with the city to support fundraising, marketing and promotion, grant writing and design expertise for the all-inclusive playground.“We are thrilled with Morgan Hill’s enthusiasm to bring a Magical Bridge playground to its community and all who visit, and appreciate the strong leadership of Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman,” said Olenka Villarreal, co-founder of the Magical Bridge Foundation, which is based in Palo Alto. “While the City of Morgan Hill had allocated $2 million towards the playground, this community was counting on the vision of their district’s supervisor to vote on the full $2 million to help make the playground a reality,” Villarreal said. “By doing so last week, he is forever going to be celebrated here as ‘Magical Mike!’”Accessible for everyoneMagical Bridge Foundation originally started as Villarreal’s personal quest to find a playground accessible for her daughter with special needs. She said that quickly evolved into an urgent need to create a new kind of community space for kids and adults of all abilities to enjoy.“In short, a place so magical that it would bridge the gap between those with and without disabilities so families had a fun place for everyone to enjoy,” she said.Villarreal and the Magical Bridge Foundation led the charge to create an all-inclusive playground in Palo Alto in 2015. A similar playground in Redwood City broke ground in November 2017 and is expected to open later this year.The new Morgan Hill Inclusive Playground, when fully funded, will be constructed at the Community Park in southwest Morgan Hill, between West Edmundson and Cosmo avenues. Santa Clara-based Verde Designs Inc. handled the design concept, which Villarreal said used designs from the Palo Alto Magical Bridge playground.“The design of the park pulls some elements from other inclusive playgrounds that have been found successful and integrates them with the ideas brought forward through the community outreach to create a design that will be unique to the Morgan Hill playground,” City Public Works Director Chris Ghione said.The Magical Bridge Foundation has raised over $100,000 for the Morgan Hill all-inclusive playground since partnering with the city. Villarreal announced on Tuesday the foundation received a $10,000 donation toward the project from the Walmart Foundation.“Magical Bridge Foundation will continue to help the city secure another $500,000 in order to break ground, and we welcome introductions to donors,” Villarreal said. “With Chris Ghione’s leadership, his city staff and Morgan Hill’s council members continue to be excited about this project. Once built, it will be a truly magical legacy for all to be proud of.”